OCLC / CMD Innovation Award Recipient 2013

Contributors to the award-winning project, "Montréal joue et l’Arène : Une innovation ludique et bibliothéconomique," included Manon Gauthier, member of the executive committee responsible for culture, heritage, design, space for life and status of women, Thierry Robert, Librarian, City of Montréal, Louise Guillemette-Labory, Associate Library Director, City de Montréal and Claude Ayerdi, Librarian, City of Montréal. The awards ceremony took place on November 25, 2013, during the Congrès des milieux documentaires at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Montréal joue (Montréal at play) is a gaming festival presented by the Bibliothèques de Montréal that takes place during spring break and the preceding week. Montréalers of all ages are invited to join in the celebrations through the citywide network of public libraries and at other key locations. Montréal joue’s first edition, held in 2013, was attended by nearly 5,000 people. With 21 partners from the gaming industry, it featured more than 250 activities in 39 libraries and five game studios.

The 2014 edition featured an even bigger, more comprehensive lineup of activities in participating libraries and gaming venues throughout Montréal. Many improvements were incorporated into this year’s program.

The award jury included Guylaine Beaudry, Émilie Gagnon and Diane Polnicky, from Montréal, Louise Gagnon-Arguin from Québec and Linda Pominville from Saint-Agathe-des-Monts. The jury was chaired by Stéphane Legault, Chief Librarian at the City of Boisbriand, who presented the award.

Ivan Filion, Head of Division, Library Programmes and Services to the Boroughs, City of Montréal, will give a presentation on the Montréal joue project at OCLC Canada's Symposium at the Canadian Library Association conference on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 (in Victoria, British Columbia).